Dear Parishioners,
Last weekend in the Gospel we heard that after his baptism Jesus went into Galilee and “There he proclaimed the Good News from God”. Today we hear in the first reading that God speaks to Abraham, and Abraham not only listened to God’s voice but obeyed. In the Gospel again God’s voice is heard by the Apostles proclaiming that “This (Jesus) is my Son the beloved, listen to him.” How do we respond to this command? Do we listen to Jesus who calls us to repent and believe the Good News – very much the theme of Lent? Are we obedient to this call as Abraham was? Or do we suffer from selective hearing and respond only to the parts that take our fancy? Hopefully we do listen and do respond generously to God’s call. If not we at least can put our trust in Jesus who, as St. Paul says in our second reading, “Stands at God’s right hand and pleads for us”.
Apologies for the Mass time error in last week’s Newsletter for Tuesday, which wasn’t noticed until Sunday, at least it made my weekday return easier as only two parishioners were present for 10.00am! Apologies also that it wasn’t Livestreamed as I couldn’t remember the password! This week Mass on Monday and Tuesday both at 10.00am. The Requiem Masses on Wednesday and Friday afternoons are limited to 30, so family and invited friends only.
With Prayers and Blessings
Fr. Keith.
Funeral Arrangements for Frederick Schuller: The cortege will leave his home at 2.30pm on Thursday and drive down Canton Street to stop outside the church, for people to pay their respects before proceeding via Sturry Street to the City of London Crematorium for a service at 3.30pm.
PARISH WHATS APP GROUP We have a few more housebound or shielding elderly folk who would like a Telephone befriender (Telly Buddy). If you would like to help lift someone’s spirits and help them feel they are not forgotten, ring 0207 987 0257 or email nip65@msn.com. Lorraine will help you get linked up. Thank you.
KEEP THE LIFELINE We are asked to write to our MP Apsana Begum or email her on:
apsana.begum.mp @parliament.uk Or: officeofapsanabegum@parliament.uk Or: apsanabegum@gmail.com
asking her to support the extension of the extra £20.00 weekly Universal Credit payment which the Chancellor is due to announce in his Budget on March 3rd. There is fear that he may not continue this extra support. So many of our families are desperate for this and with unemployment due to soar, there will be evictions and misery for many otherwise. Please do it today and also ask her to support the extension of the Furlough Payment Scheme until the Autumn.
COMPASS IN LENT …reflecting together with young adults 18-35
Religious Life: the theory & the stories
Each Friday in Lent we gather together on Zoom from 7.00pm -8.15pm. There will be a short input on some aspect of religious life and then a guest speaker will share her/his vocation story. The meeting will also include a time for sharing, questions and discussion.
Zoom link: email us on CompassCVP@gmail.com for the link and for any other information. Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/4TfXt3n8L
Compass is a project of CVP (Catholic Vocations Project). CVP is supported by a group of religious women and men in the UK who are interested in promoting a culture of vocation in our Church.
VACCINATIONS If it’s good enough for the Pope and the Queen then the Vaccine should be good enough for us! Please encourage everyone to “have the jab”, if not for yourself for others to keep people safe. Father Albert Ofere who is Parish Priest in Wembley was struck down by Covid19 and has posted a video on the Catholic Bishops Website encouraging people to “have the jab” following his near death experience, go to: https://youtu.be/-caoVnt5c_s It is certainly a message for everyone not only the BAME Community and the “Anti Vaccers”.
CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE The Bishops Conference of England and Wales website has numerous articles on Covid19 and many other subjects. Go to for the latest Catholic News.
NEIGHBOURS IN POPLAR Thank you to all the incredible volunteers from both Limehouse and Poplar, who keep our Covid19 response Project going. We always welcome drivers on Wednesdays and Sundays at St Matthias Community Centre (113 Poplar High Street) Between 11:45am and 12:45pm. Several of our “Deliveroo Angels” have done much, much more than deliver meals, they have saved lives, ensured Hospital appointments and seen to Housing Repairs etc. Since the project began we have got through 11,000 plates—more are needed so please check your kitchen cupboards for all that mismatched crockery! Neighbours in Poplar can be contacted on 020 7987 0257 or email: nip65@msn.com
MEMORIES ISSUE 3 is available at the back of Church. a reminder of what Christmas 2020 was like, in case we forget! This issue contains contributions from some of our Parishioners, young and old.
LENTEN FUND RAISING The Sister Christine Challenge! We are hoping that as a Parish we will raise enough money (£750.00) to dig a Well in a Village in Ethiopia so that instead of walking miles daily for fresh water, the villagers can have their own water system. This will mean much more than just having fresh, clean water, it will allow children to attend school rather than spend the day walking for water. You will see from the diagram on the wall how our fund raising is progressing! Some donations have already been received.
TRACK AND TRACE –STAY SAFE A reminder to please either scan the QR Code or use a Track and Trace Form and place it in the offertory box as you enter the church. Face Masks should be worn and social distancing observed, please remain in your “Bubbles”. Please follow the one way system in the church. For Communion please come up the centre aisle and return by the side. Communion is to be received on outstretched hands.
Thank you
BAPTISM PREPARTION COURSE Details of a preparation course for those seeking baptism for their infant children will be announced soon.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION Whether by Direct Debit, Standing Order, Offertory Envelope, Virgin Money Giving Function on the parish website or by physical cash donations in the Offertory Box, and through Clergy House letterbox thank you for your continued financial support. Thanks also to all who by gift aiding your donation enables the parish to claim .25p from the tax man for every pound given at no extra cost to yourself.
PRAYERS PLEASE FOR: Those of our parish who are sick: at home or in Hospital and for all who care for them, for all those who are self isolating, prayers asked especially asked for Fr. Simon the Parish Priest at Bow Common. Our Country: Our Government, NHS and frontline workers fighting Covid-19; All who are poor; All Refugees; Our Diocese: especially our Bishops; Peace in our troubled world; Our Parish Family: those preparing for Baptism or Reception into the Church; CAFOD; Our Deanery: The Hospitals Chaplaincy; All who have died recently: and for those whose Anniversaries occur at this time.
RCIA
Please pray for our ten Candidates and Catechumens who are preparing for Baptism and Confirmation. This would normally take place at the Easter Vigil but with the uncertainty about numbers etc. Father Keith has decided to delay this celebration until Pentecost Sunday May 23rd.